Ipreo FC 3 Vs DEL 2

Ipreo went back to the top of the Friday league after victory in what was ultimately a close game against a distinctly average DEL side.

The opening exchanges saw action at either end, with ‘Keeper Chris Crow making a few useful saves, and Dave DT Timothy opening up the DEL defence on more than one occasion. It was end to end stuff, but the deadlock was finally broken, when Chris Elliott managed to get on the end of a Sean Robins cross field ball, and from an acute angle, slotted home just inside the near post. The goal seemed to rock DEL, as Ipreo kept up the pressure, with all four outfield players contributing to some slick pass and move football. DT could have made it two after a darting run that saw him skip past three of the four DEL outfield players only to see his placed shot fall marginally wide. After this, DEL started to get back into the game, Crow pulling off some majestic stops in the Ipreo goal. It was therefore somewhat against the run of play that Ipreo went two up. Robins taking the ball straight from a clearance from Crow to score on what was his penultimate game for the “Scotties”.

Just before half time, DEL pulled one back, after their striker placed the ball into an empty net as a result of what was actually a good parry from Crow. At half time, the score was 2-1.

DEL started the second half the brighter, with a few of the Ipreo boys looking a little tired. DEL equalised through the worst player in the league, Francois, to rub salt into the wound and suddenly, from cruising at 2-0, it seemed Ipreo had it all to do to secure even a point!

The turning point came shortly after the goal in the guise of a magnificent stop from Crow in the Ipreo goal. Crow tipping the ball just over the bar. This seemed to spur Ipreo on and after two close strikes from DT, the game was finally won in bizarre fashion as DT’s third shot in succession ricochet off a DEL defender and past his own ‘keeper to gift Ipreo all three points. And it could have been 4, and maybe 5, as super sub Sam pushed two late drives wide and another agonisingly over the bar.

So it ended 3-2 and on the balance of it, the better team won, and rightfully retake our position at the top of the table.